The Pulitzer-winning journalist and author reminded everyone about the responsibility of newspapers in a speech that ranged from coverage of McCarthyism in the DTH to Thomas Jefferson to The Drudge Report.

“The old words about the ‘dignity’ of print remain applicable and it would be a stretch to use them of some of the current substitutes for it,” he said. “It is a precious heritage and I hope you will take care of it.”

Yoder won the Pulitzer Prize in 1979 for Editorial Writing at the Washington Star. He went on to be a columnist at the Washington Post.

He was an excellent choice for the inaugural award but not every winner has to have a Pulitzer, said Erica Beshears Perel, DTH newsroom adviser.

“DTH alumni are working in all kinds of careers all around the world and making great contributions every day,” she said. “We want to tap into the kind of reach only our alumni network has to find candidates for the next award.”

Nominees must have served the DTH with distinction and must have made significant contributions to their professions or the community.

Nominations will be submitted by DTH alumni and friends using the nomination form embedded below.

The nomination period opens now and will close on Dec. 20. A committee of current and former DTH staffers will select the winner, who will be honored during the 2017 Alumni Homecoming. Start making plans to attend now!